Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's progress with his diabetes and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted, effective March 18, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure at the Korat RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's lung cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection as due to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 9, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of a combined rating meeting the percentage requirements for schedular entitlement. The Board finds marginal employment and refers the case for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The diabetes rating was maintained at 40 percent, while the lumbar spine rating was denied in excess of 20 percent from November 30, 2005 to January 22, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased rating, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding whether the Veteran's renal disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, arthritis, dyspnea, heart disorder, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, and back disorder are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's representative provided links to medical articles, and an addendum opinion is needed to consider these articles.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records are to be obtained, and the claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and secondary service connection for diabetes as related to hypertension. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking hypertension to the development of diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type I. The Veteran is required to provide releases for private treatment records and another VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes due to lack of substantial compliance with the January 2021 remand directives. The case is now back at the Board for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with its previous remand instructions. The claims will be reconsidered in light of new evidence and considerations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development, including verification of exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 26, 2014. The decision grants an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, secondary disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional records.